318. Role model in Prophet Muhammad.
In verse (33:21) of the Quran, Allah says Prophet Muhammad is a good role model for humans.
This verse teaches us an important Islamic principle.
Some, with misguided ideology declare, they would follow the teachings of only the Quran, and not accept the guidance of Prophet Muhammad. They argue the task of the prophet stops with reaching the Quran to the people, and thus justify their stand.
This verse (33:21) of the Quran rebuts their claim, by saying the responsibility of Prophet Muhammad does not end with reaching the Quran to the masses, but continues beyond that.
Uswadh (role model) means following one’s words, and actions, in every step of life. The word uswadh (role model) is used not in the sense of reading and following the instructions from the book (Quran) alone.
When a postman delivers mail, we receive it, read the contents, and follow the instructions from the mail. This does not mean we have taken the postman as our role model. Any suggestions on these lines by anybody would make the person’s intellect doubtful.
There is no difference between such people and those who refuse to accept hadiths.
Because these people believe the responsibility of Prophet Muhammad ends with bringing the Quran to the people.
Here they refute the Quran itself, by saying the prophet was not sent as a role model.
There is a stern warning in this verse, for those who refute the role model of Prophet Muhammad as refusing Allah, and the hereafter.
This verse clearly says Prophet Muhammad will shine as a role model.
When does the revelation in the Quran declaring Prophet Muhammad as a role model become a reality. It becomes a reality only when the guidance by Prophet Muhammad is put into action. It is possible only when the hadiths of Prophet Muhammad are accepted and implemented. Because we can get the guidance to a proper life only from the hadiths.
This also reinforces the notion that Prophet Muhammad’s explanations are a dire necessity to understand the Quran in the right perspective.
To know more about following the guidance of Prophet Muhammad in addition to implementing the commandments of Allah please refer to explanation points, 18, 36, 39, 50, 55, 56, 57, 60, 67, 72, 105, 125, 127, 128, 132, 154, 164, 184, 244, 255, 256, 258, 286, 350, 352, 358, 430.
